Japanese chipmaker Rapidus has launched a Collaborative Open Rapid Ecosystem (CORE), a framework the company describes as a "global ecosystem framework" designed to give customers a "development and production infrastructure they can rely on." The first phase already includes 17 partner companies, among them Cadence, Synopsys, Infosys, Toshiba Information Systems, and Wipro.

The announcement signals how Rapidus intends to structure its customer relationships before its 2nm manufacturing ramp, currently expected in 2027. Rather than selling raw wafer capacity alone, the company is building a support layer that spans design through production.

What does the first phase include?

The initial component of CORE is the Design Solution Associates initiative. Rapidus positions it as a bridge between the chipmaker and its customers, supplying resources and expertise to support semiconductor development.

According to the company, the initiative will:

• Strengthen Rapidus's support system across the full chain from design to manufacturing
• Let the chipmaker meet customer demand in Japan and globally
• Provide customers with direct access to partner design expertise

The current roster of 17 Design Solution Associates includes:

• Cadence
• Synopsys
• Infosys
• Toshiba Information Systems
• Wipro

Both Cadence and Synopsys are major electronic design automation (EDA) vendors, which points toward the direction Rapidus plans to take in later phases.

How will CORE expand?

In subsequent phases, Rapidus intends to broaden the CORE offering to include electronic design automation tools and intellectual property, along with additional categories. The company said this expansion will strengthen partnerships with firms operating in those segments.

That roadmap matters for timing. If 2nm manufacturing begins in 2027, customers need design support infrastructure in place well in advance, since advanced-node chip design cycles typically run years ahead of volume production.

Who is Rapidus?

Rapidus was founded in November 2022 by the Japanese government together with industry partners including SoftBank, Sony, and NTT. Its stated purpose is boosting domestic semiconductor production in Japan.

At the time of founding, the company said it would develop sub-2nm chips using technology licensed from IBM.

The company reached a concrete milestone in 2025. Rapidus started testing its first production line in Hokkaido, Japan, that year, moving from planning to operational validation of its fab infrastructure.

What does CORE mean for customers?

For prospective customers, the framework addresses a practical problem: advanced-node silicon requires deep coordination between design teams and the foundry long before wafers run. A formal ecosystem with named design partners gives fabless companies a defined entry point into Rapidus's process.

The inclusion of two leading EDA vendors in the first phase suggests tool certification and design-flow enablement are near-term priorities. The promised addition of IP providers in later phases would fill another gap, giving customers licensed building blocks qualified for Rapidus's process.

The 2027 target for 2nm manufacturing puts Rapidus in direct competition with established leading-edge foundries. Whether the CORE framework can attract enough design activity to fill its Hokkaido capacity will be one measure of the initiative's success.

For now, the structure is in place: 17 design partners, a defined expansion path into EDA and IP, and a production timeline the company has committed to publicly.